Communicating with the Care Team During End-of-Life Care

Episode 10: Communicating with the Care Team During End-of-Life Care

When a child’s condition changes or they are nearing the end of life, caregivers face hard choices. It can help to focus on comfort, quality of life, and what matters most to the child.

In this episode, Tekeima Townsend‑Billups talks with parents Tasha and Dean Ives about caring for their daughter, Sydney, in her final months of life. They describe how their advocacy changed as Sydney’s health declined. They share what “quality of life” meant for their family, how they talked honestly with their children, and how they made day‑to‑day decisions based on Sydney’s well-being and wishes.

Mike McNeil shares guidance on communicating with the care team during this time. He explains shared decision‑making and how trust supports better end‑of‑life care. He encourages caregivers to name their hopes and worries and to ask for the help they need.

A special thank you to our host Tekeima Townsend‑Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert Mike McNeil, pediatric oncologist and palliative care physician at St. Jude; and our guests Tasha and Dean Ives.

This episode was recorded on December 5, 2025.

Learn more about palliative care on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

Listen to Tasha and Dean discuss communicating with the care team during treatment.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.

Season 3 Episodes